Beijing has imposed sanctions on seven Taiwanese officials it accuses of supporting the island's independence from China. Among the sanctioned officials are Hsiao Bi-Kim, Taiwan's de facto ambassador to Washington, and Wellington Koo, secretary-general of Taiwan's National Security Council. The sanctions come after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei.

Chinese state media announced Tuesday that Beijing has imposed sanctions on seven Taiwanese officials for their support of Taiwan's independence.

The sanctions come after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan earlier this month, in a move China said sent the wrong signal to the island's independence forces.

Democratically governed and virtually independent Taiwan rejects China's sovereignty claims.

Among those sanctioned by China's Taiwan Affairs Office are Hsiao Bi-Kim, Taiwan's de facto ambassador to Washington, and Wellington Koo, secretary-general of Taiwan's National Security Council, said Xinhua.

A spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office said those sanctioned would not be able to visit China, Hong Kong and Macao. Also, companies and investors associated with them will not be allowed to operate in China.

China has previously imposed sanctions on Taiwan Prime Minister Su Tsing-chang, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu and Parliament Speaker Yu Se-kun.

FRANCE 24/Reuters